Window tinted films, also called window tint, is a transparent plastic film or metallic laminate which is applied to glass windows . Many of car owners love to install window tint at some tint shop just to prevent heat and makes your car looks cool with variety of window colours.

But… BEWARE OF FAKE PRODUCTS!

A lot of car window tinted shop claims that they have the best tinted film original from USA, while many of them are cheating when they provide LOW QUALITY and cheap film from China, Taiwan and Korea.

WHY ORIGINAL TINTED FILM IS VERY IMPORTANT?

This will happen if you use cheap and fake brand of tinted film (not make from USA)?

5 STEP HOW TO DETERMINE THE BEST TINTED FILM WITH ORIGINAL QUALITY?

Too many brands and product of window film in market today. How to decide which is the best value tint for our car?
Not all window film brand carry original USA product, somehow, we do not know how to differential one to another, so, we have no choice to believed what has been convinced by the tinting business owner or sales person.
Recently I do some study on and google on this issue in Raytech tinting website : http://raytech.com.my/
Here, I have some useful tips to share to everybody, how to determine a good window tinted brand that selling USA original product.

On Raytech official website, we can see its USA manufacturer is called Commonwealth Laminating & Coating, Inc. (CLC) from Martinsville, Virginia USA. We also can see their factory processing video on their website.

2. Visit the USA Manufacturer Website for Further Information.

Search for the manufacturer official website. After that, click to locate the CLC worldwide distributor. You will find Ray Tech company name and address like below which shows that Ray Tech is one of the authorised distributor of original product from USA.

In window films industry, strict rules are implied for obtaining the rights to sell the products from manufacturers. If the outlet has no proof of authorization, then their products’ place of origin will be highly questionable.

4. Manufacturer / Brand Original Packaging

Quality products must come with proper packaging with the brand name stamped on it and they will provide longer warranty period.

5. Brand Logo Print on Window Film

Not only on the packaging, you will found the brand stamped on the product itself, not just a blank tinted film without brand stamped on it.

The rest of all brand of original packaging

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That is all the 5 easy step to determine the originality of a product and the quality depends on your budget.

For now, after some survey made, we found Ray Tech have the best SOLAR SAFETY tinted filmspecification from their new product:

Centurion RX-4mil
Film Thickness : 4mil
VLT :58% UVR : 99% IRR : 95% TSER : 62%
(This specification is already the best in Malaysia compare to other brand and we are using it now for testing. It does very well in heat rejection and we will update if the tinted film deteriorates through time)

WHAT IS SAFETY FILM AND WHY WE NEED IT?

For America Standard, and IWFA requirement 4mil safety film thickness and above are classified as safety film. The safety film must get the ANSI lab report or certificate on the break strength impact before the product can be release in to the market. Further more, safety film now is coated with heat rejection material and become best selling product in Malaysia.

However, never make mistake that safety film is unbreakable. Every safety film has its break strength limited. Raytech 4mil Safety film can support up to 134lb break strength. Window tinted with safety film can break if the strength above the supporting limit. Although the film is make in USA.

The best idea of safety film created is to delay window breaking in time by theft or robbery about 20 to 30 seconds. Thus,you can drive away your car.

CHECK THE COMPANY BACKGROUND AND HOW THEY CAN PROOF THEIR PRODUCT IS THE BEST

The Company Ray Tech has grown to become one of the world’s leading companies in windows films industry. With a global network expanding to America, Europe and Asia, Raytech International Windows Film develops and markets a wide variety of products, ranging from automobile films to architecture films that comprise elite quality and durability, to earn the Company an outstanding reputation from customers worldwide.

All Raytech Window Films are exclusively manufactured in the United States at our world-class facility in Martinsville, Virginia. At this site, CLC have invested in a broad range of production and manufacturing equipment including precision laminating and coating machinery, and a state-of-the-art dyed film line.

Commonwealth Laminating & Coating, Inc. (CLC) is a leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of solar control window films for Automotive, Architectural, Safety & Security, and Specialty applications. The films are designed to offer solar performance including heat rejection, glare reduction, and UV protection. They also offer privacy, safety/security, and aesthetic enhancement. Our worldwide distribution network is professionally trained to offer each dealer a consistently superior experience. Wherever your location, our team is able to assist you with film selection,installation methods, tools, and delivery.

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Below are other information about window tinting…

It is available in many different compositions with varying effects on the optical and mechanical properties of the underlying glass.Solar protection sunscreen films are layers of highly technical and very advanced plastic that are applied to your window glass changing its characteristics considerably.Tinted glass is a beautiful, tasteful way to add interest to your glass surfaces. Tinted glass or glass film is great for rooms that need privacy without sacrificing natural light. Glass film helps hold broken glass in place and reduces splintering.

DEFINITION OF CAR TINTING IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS

- VLT (Visible Light Transmission): Consider this carefully if you do not want to get into trouble with JPJ. As above stated, please do not exceed the amount. Please be also advised that our stock glass / window do have a certain negative percentage of VLT simply meaning do not choose tint VLT up to 70% exactly for your windscreen as your stock windscreen may have, e.g. -2% VLT, simply brings to 68% VLT only

- UV (Ultra-violet) Rejection: Having a high UV % is recommended. Most of the high-end good tint brand usually have up to 99% UV rejection. It is important as UV radiation can lead to faster ageing of the skin and risk of having skin cancer caused by ultra-violet rays.

- IR (Infra-red) Rejection: IR simply mean heat. The higher IR rejection a tint have, the better it will do in head shielding. If you guys are looking for tints that can really keep your car cool, look for tints that have high IR rather than VLT. However, high IR tints usually cost a fortune

IMPORTANT NOTES ON HOW TO BUY CAR WINDOW TINTING SERVICES

These are the checklist that you need to ask before installation!!!
1) Does the film contain metallize material that will cause rusty after several years?

2) Normally most of the reflective color film will become “discolouration or fade” after certain time (probably 3yrs).

3) Always ask whether is the film made of korea!!!Korea film will fade after 6months of installation.Its easy to tell the different by a touch on the film to see whether its thick enough. (at least 1.5mil)

4) 2ply film(1.5mil) will be reasonable for the side and rear windscreen due to its double sputter coating of chemical for higher energy rejection.

5) Price in not the main subject to determine the film is the best or worst. Most of the shop are using conventional film. Meaning all of them got their supplies from the same manufacturer which produce similar things without brand.

6) Choosing Accessories shop for tinting service is a no – no as they are not as professional as those which only sell window film. And also they dont have a proper environment for installation. They are the so called “kedai runcit” semua gua jual, semua gua buat!

7) Due to competition between all the window film industry, most people tend to use korea film to lower down their cost.

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ABOUT V-Kool CAR TINT

V-KOOL® is a revolutionary window-coating which offers the best optimum solution to the problems that cars and buildings face from the intense Malaysian heat and sun. This multi-accolades winner was initially developed for the United States Air Force and NASA respectively by Southwall Technologies Inc. V-KOOL® films all have a special optically coated materials which selectively absorb, reflect and transmit specific ranges of electromagnetic radiation; or in layman terms, V-KOOL® films have a visible-light transmission of 73%, and rejects 94% of the heat-carrying infra-red.

V-KOOL® was developed by Southwall Technologies located at Silicon Valley in the U.S. This technology was initially developed for specialized applications ranging from the Stealth Bomber, the Space-Shuttle, and now to your cars, buildings, and homes.

In the Malaysian automotive industry, the trusted Spectrally-selective V-KOOL® films are incorporated as an OEM (Original-Equipment Manufacture) component by majority of renowned auto-manufacturers. Our presence in the architectural industry is equally prominent when all PETRONAS stations and The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur are protected by V-KOOL® technology.

So, what do USAF air force pilots, NASA astronauts and more than 18 million drivers in the world have in common?

They trust in V-KOOL® to provide a clearer view, a cooler world; day and night.

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ABOUT ECO-TINT RAY BARRIER

THE GOLD STANDARD FO SUN PROTECTION

RayBarrier, Ecotint’s top performance film, is a breakthrough in conventional window-tint films. Manufactured using ultra-fine nonoparticles of antimony tin oxide (ATO), RayBarrier offers one of the best levels of solar protection available both for the home or the car.

HOW THE SMALLEST THING CAN MAKE THE LARGEST DIFFERENCE

RayBarrier is manufactured using nanotechnology, one of the world’s most advanced thchnologies in material sciences, which utilises smaller-than-microscopic particles as building blocks. This makes it possible to create extremely capable high performance objects to the most exact and demanding specifications.

Each ATO particle in RayBarrier is only 10nm* in length. Its diameter is two to three hundredth the wavelength of visible light, making the film virtually colourless and extremely transparent.

The ultrafine ATO gives the film the incredible dexterity of rejecting and transmitting only selected rays on the electromagnetic spectrum. Thus RayBarrier offers an unprecedented level of total solar heat rejection without compromising on clarity and visibility.

It is this revolutionary technology that sets RayBarrier apart as the gold standard for ultimate sun protection.

• Optimum heat shielding
RayBarrier has a 63% sunlight radiation transmittance and cuts out more than 80% of heat-bearing NIR. this keeps the temperature in your vehicle at comfortable levels without needing to blast your air-conditioner.

Heat shielding effect of RayBarrier

• Ultra high clarity
RayBarrier cuts out heat, not light. Up to 80% of essential VL is let through – well within the RTD requirements for vehicles – giving the dirver a clear and undistorted view of the road.

• Effective UV rejection
RayBarrier rejects as much as 99.5% of harmful UV rays and protects you as well as extends the lifespan of interior fittings.

• SMARTag – friendly
Because of its unique nanotechnology, RayBarrier is compatible with the usage of the SMARTag and other remote devices such as handphones and walkie-talkies.

• Durability
RayBarrier is extremely hardy and can withstand intense solar heat without bubbling or distorting. Unlike organic films which deteriorate over time, RayBarrier maintains its first-class performance throughout.

• Shatter resistant
The film’s high tensile strength and resilient adhesive prevents the glass from flying when shattered upon major impact.

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Car window tint price is varied with its quality. Usually normal tinting services from tint shop in Malaysia charge around RM600 to RM2000. Anything below the price range is considered not so good and price above RM2000 is normally giving you the best quality of car window tints including for your own safety and car protection with window tinting insurance.

47 Responses

I want to bring to our readers attention to be careful about when they ask their film specialist about the film they want to install-will I run foul of the JPJ law? I can say that every the tint shop will say their films are (listen carefully) ‘JPJ Compliant’. The will not say ‘JPJ Approved’.

As far as I know JPJ have not approve any tint in the market. So, if you do not want to pay saman if caught; I suggest that buyers go for the lighter tint which already available in the market. But really, the tint is very light and if you want to park in a taman chit chat with your girl, you won’t get the privacy feeling!

I just install AIR COOL tint on my citra. I use the latest tint film AIR COOL DUROGARD that feature safety when knock by object. If someone try to break the windows, the can withstand the hammering more than few times. If the glass break it won’t drop into pieces, just withstand at the place. It cost me Rm700, the cheapest in the market, while others brand that I surveyed cost around RM1500 to 2300. Heat rejection 80% and UV 90%

Contrary to popular believe the darker the tint doesn’t mean it will offer the best protection. Have we have to ask ourself why do we want to use a window film in the first place?

That’s right I hear you..to cut away the heat or glare right? To keep yourself cool right? Always ge the tint that offers high UV and high IR rejection. The higher it is the more expensive the film. Of course we have to look at our budget. Then we try to get the best with what we can afford.

I am not hitting anyone out there but the midset of the darker the film the better it is doesn’t hold any water.

Mind you that when you’ve installed a very dark film you’re putting yourself and other road users at risk because when you drive at night you hardly see what’s out there.

The other day I saw a BMW pseudo M5 parked at Mid Valley (at night) nearly reversed into a family walking pass. The mother is toddling two small children. Had that accident happen I think the driver won’t see the light of the day anymore.

Welcome to our forum. Love to hear from you about automotive tinting happenings in UK. Over here we share anything about cars. Of course in here you’ll see that we also write the comments our mother language the Bahasa Malaysia. But nevertheless we’re passionate about cars.

hi guys, how do i really know what i get is what i paid??Coz,i just had my front wind shield installed with V-Kool Elite,which cost Rm950 for my Honda Crv.I was away for lunch and left my car at the tint shop to do job.i hv a feeling this new tint is not as effective as the previous one,coz i feel abit more sun heat at the front than the side when the sun shines on both sides.Any where u can verify it???Coz to me V-kool Elite and Perfect looks the same and there is nothing on the film which tells them apart,but they cost alot different.Any ideas,guys??TX

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I dont agree with the statement above regarding Korea made film…which i know SunNano from korea does provide one of the best film in the industries.
They provide accurate IR reading tested with the machine they provide (mayb u guys will say that they only test their film, but on the spot i pass them raytxxh sample film as well as v kxxl film non of them provide genuine IRR rating which surprised me). They provide the machine to measure true IRR rating on the film and after install on my car, they do test again on my car window.
On the other hand, on every square feet of their film, there will be serial number and model code printed on it. It makes me feel more confident with their products. Because i tint before my car with Raytxxh, it doesnt have the serial number on my window film and yet they claim my film have high IRR ratings about 95. When i tear it out and check, my film they install only 76% which is much lower than what they claim is.
It makes me feel disappointed with that brand.
Truely, in market , alot of the accs and tint shop claim their products from korea which is originally made in china. Thats what confusing us as customer.
Maybe u guys should try to tint with SunNano Window Film.
Good quality with cheaper price compare to US brand and they do provide long period of warranty up to 10 years. Performance wise is much better than US products. Most important part is they provide genuine Infrared Rejection and film.
No HANKY-PANKY….